Written by Sheila Evans on . Posted in Profiles.
There is something special about Garth Bailey. It only takes a few minutes talking to him to know what it is. He is unabashedly in love with the Lord. Garth is from Ocho Rios, Jamaica, but lives and works in Boca Grande during the season. He works as a server for The Gasparilla Inn and […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Letters to the Editor.
To the Editor: Thank you for the great editorial in the paper this week. (See Lake Okeechobee’s overflowing, Feb. 16, 2023). We’re at the apex of a life-threatening water disaster here in Florida and our community seems to think that someone else will fix it. Everyone needs to be pro-active when it comes to clean […]
Written by Guest Columnist on . Posted in Community History.
BY GINGER WATKINS Editor’s Note: At her last meeting as chairman last month, outgoing GIBA Chairman Ginger Watkins assembled facts and history about the Gasparilla Island Bridge Authority. We have presented here a brief excerpt for Beacon readers who wish to know more about the “early years” from 1996 on. The Gasparilla Island Bridge Authority’s […]
Written by Garland Pollard on . Posted in Editorial.
In the aftermath of Hurricane Ian, communications for Cape Haze and Boca Grande went back to the pre-Flintstones era. That might sound extreme. It is not, as Barney and Fred had dial phones with animal horns, and TVs with actual rabbit ears on top. The power was out, as was the internet and phone service. […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in News.
The South Gulf Cove boat lock will be nonoperational due to repairs. The lock cannot be opened manually or via bridge tenders until repairs are complete. For information, contact Patrick Ferriter at 941-681-3776 or email Patrick.Ferriter@charlottecountyfl.gov.
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Entertainment, Events, News.
BY ERICA RESS MARTIN March 13 is the night I look forward to and dread. It’s the night RPP’s “The 25th annual Putnam County Spelling Bee,” opens. This hectic, exhilarating, difficult show is causing sleepless nights. Can I learn a whole show where I’m never off stage? Can any of us? My emotions are mixed. […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Entertainment, Events, Featured News, News.
The Boca Grande Woman’s Club Spring Fair, All Aboard the Boca Grande Express, arrives on Saturday, March 9. Come out and celebrate what makes Boca Grande special and have a great time with friends and neighbors. It all starts with the Bike Path Parade. It begins promptly at 10:30 a.m. near the traffic cones on […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Events, Featured News, News.
The Annual Boca Grande Strawberry Festival, held on the grounds of the Boca Grande Community Center, is a long-standing island tradition known for fresh Strawberry Shortcake, a fabulous Silent Auction, the Bargain Boutique and for the past 3 years, the Strawberry Art Festival. The Strawberry Festival is organized by the United Methodist Women who have […]
Written by Anna Ridilla on . Posted in Breaking News, News.
Early voting for the upcoming presidential preference primary begins Saturday, March 9 for Lee County and Monday, March 4 for Charlotte County. Florida is a closed primary state, which means that only voters who are registered members of political parties may vote for respective candidates or nominees for an office in a primary election. The […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Entertainment, Events, News.
On March 14, at 4 p.m., local writers Linda Fairstein, Susan Hanafee, Candice Shy Hooper and Bobbie Marquis will gather in the loggia of the Johann Fust Community Library to talk about how they approach research as it pertains to their writing. Whether you are reading nonfiction, historical fiction, mystery or literary fiction, you enter […]